| Who would imagine that planning the penultimate event | | | | This can save him $300 or $400. The bride might |
| for the most joyous occasion with the love of your | | | | consider shopping for her wedding dress at a |
| life…could make you want to tear your hair out by the | | | | warehouse sale or even wearing her mother's old |
| handful. Except THAT would ruin your plans for the | | | | dress. |
| perfect wedding hairstyle. Which might make you | | | | 5. Delegate some responsibilities |
| push back the date. Which….Arrrrgh! Wedding | | | | Brides and grooms to be tend to feel put upon to |
| planning does not have to be so stressful. Here a | | | | make everyone happy during the wedding planning |
| some sensible tips that should make your nuptial | | | | process. However, no one person can do it all -- |
| planning go much more smoothly. | | | | particularly if that person has to hold down a job or |
| 1. Get on the same page with your fiancé | | | | perform any other societal responsibilities. Now is the |
| Planning a wedding can cause plenty of friction | | | | time to lean on your friends and family. Task your best |
| between two otherwise incredibly compatible people. | | | | friend, for instance, to help pick your florist. Call in a |
| Before you get into the nitty-gritty, discuss your hopes, | | | | favor from Uncle Arnie, the great gourmand, when it |
| concerns, and stylistic preferences in detail. Even | | | | comes to choosing the wine list. Be creative. Invite |
| though one partner usually takes the lead when it | | | | participation. |
| comes to dealing with wedding planning logistics, if both | | | | 6. Don't be afraid to make decisions |
| parties involved don't feel okay with the general plan, | | | | You will be faced with many, many options on how to |
| problems will inevitably arise -- particularly when it | | | | do your hair, arrange tables, set up flower |
| comes to the size and cost of the affair. | | | | arrangements, instruct your band and/or DJ, and so |
| 2. Create a budget | | | | forth. If you leave these crucial decisions to the last |
| Don't believe the wedding books or wedding sites -- | | | | minute, you will get overwhelmed and panicked. |
| throwing even a modest-sized wedding in the United | | | | Instead, resolve at least some of these open-ended |
| States is far more expensive than most general | | | | questions early on in the process. This will give you the |
| information sources will tell you -- particularly if you live | | | | psychological breathing-room you need to de-stress |
| in a cosmopolitan area like New York or Los Angeles. | | | | before you take your vows. |
| Budget everything, and budget conservatively. List your | | | | 7. Decide on your guest-list as early as possible |
| photographer, videographer, flowers, honeymoon | | | | One way to simplify your guest-list making process is |
| costs, marriage license costs, hotel room costs for the | | | | to break your list down into three categories. Category |
| night of the wedding, ring costs, special ceremonial | | | | A involves people who absolutely must be invited to |
| prop costs, wedding dress and tuxedo costs, food and | | | | the wedding. (For instance, the bride and groom's |
| drink costs, and anything else that might be pertinent. | | | | immediate family, your best friends, etc.) Category B |
| You can use other peoples' wedding budgets as a | | | | covers people who almost surely will be invited -- |
| guide, but remember that the more explicit you are | | | | provided there is enough room in your budget to invite |
| about your line items, the easier it will be to keep your | | | | them. Category C covers outliers whom you might |
| budget from going off the rails. Along those lines, | | | | invite if you get enough no-shows back on your RSVP |
| beware that alcohol and food can really add up -- | | | | cards. |
| particularly if you are inviting more than a hundred and | | | | 8. Get your arrangements in writing |
| fifty guests. | | | | Get signed contracts from vendors. Keep a written |
| 3. Set a realistic date | | | | record of all of these arrangements, and make sure |
| Pick a date well in advance and let your guests know | | | | that you have contact information and photocopies of |
| as soon as possible. If you choose a weekend in the | | | | these contracts available on site. You may need to |
| middle of wedding season (roughly May through | | | | reference them if something does not go according to |
| August), you may have to compete with other | | | | plan during the wedding. |
| weddings for your guests' attention. You want to give | | | | 9. Have your caterer set aside food and drink for you |
| yourself enough time to get all of the nuts and bolts in | | | | and your groom/bride to be |
| place for your big day. If you don't leave yourself that | | | | During the actual wedding, you will likely be so busy |
| breathing room, you will inevitably get stressed out, | | | | greeting people and partying to eat. But when the band |
| particularly in the two weeks leading up to the | | | | packs up and everyone else goes home, your first |
| ceremony. | | | | thought may not be "let's go to the honeymoon suite," |
| 4. Look for bargains | | | | but rather "let's finally get some grub on!" After all, you |
| The so-called "wedding industrial complex" runs a | | | | will likely burn up tons of calories bustling about -- so |
| smooth marketing operation. Everyone from your | | | | make sure you save some of your delicious wedding |
| florist to your manicurist will have a hierarchy of | | | | food for you and your honey to enjoy. |
| wedding-related goods and services to sell you, and | | | | 10. Have Fun! |
| you will be tempted to choose the top-of-the-line in | | | | Your wedding theoretically should be one of the most |
| every category. After all, it's your big day. However, | | | | joyous days of your life. Take the time to reflect on |
| you can save tons of money in certain areas, provided | | | | the moment and to embrace the love and affection |
| that you work from your budget and think practically | | | | that brought you and your betrothed together in the |
| about how to save money. For instance, the groom | | | | first place. |
| might choose to rent his tuxedo rather than to buy it. | | | | |